Curriculum Overview
Hatch End High School’s ethos and four core values embedded in WE CARE (co-operation; ambition; respect and empathy) together drive our intent and vision for curriculum provision and delivery.
We have an inclusive curriculum which aspires to respond to the local and national agenda both intelligently and creatively in order to ensure all our students receive a high quality learning experience at all times. Our curriculum will celebrate the diversity of our school community and ensure all our groups of young people "see themselves in the curriculum" and are represented appropriately. In confirming our commitment to the broad and balanced principles of our curriculum we celebrate our expertise in the Arts and Applied Learning to drive excellence and innovation.
Our full inclusive curriculum offer ensures that all students achieve their potential personally, socially, emotionally and academically in all areas of the curriculum (regardless of their gender, ethnicity, social background, religion, sexual identity, physical ability or educational needs). Staff are well informed of individual needs in their classrooms and through adaptive teaching and appropriate scaffolding all students fully participate and are held to the highest of expectations.
For further information relating to our curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact please click on the tab at the end of this page for our full policy.
Our curriculum is the vehicle to allow our students to become:
- confident and successful individuals who aspire to “excellence” by enjoying learning, developing resilience, becoming flexible and adaptable, achieving high quality and meaningful qualifications and thereby making “ambitious” progress
- responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society including their local community and the wider, international world in which they exist thereby embedding our core values of “respect, empathy and co-operation”.
Our curriculum is coherently planned from Year 7 to 13 in each subject through what we call a 'narrative' or 'story' with units sequenced logically across all seven years of study. Please click here for individual subject pages to see the Curriculum Narrative and Maps for Years 7 to 13 for each subject studied here at Hatch End High School.
We have also created this information in a format showing what each year group will study. These are our Learning Journeys and are available here.
In Years 7 - 9, students follow the National Curriculum subjects as set out in detail in our Subject Maps and Narratives available on the school website. The curriculum aims to provide an excellent grounding in the core subjects (Maths; Science; Computer Science; English; Religious Education; Personal, Citizenship, Social and Health Education (PCSHE) and Physical Education) as well as the Arts; the Humanities, Modern Foreign Languages and Design and Technology.
In the Spring Term of Year 9, students choose two “options” to take at GCSE in Years 10 & 11. Year 9 is seen as a fundamental preparation year for GCSE, especially for the EBacc subjects and some of the content for GCSEs may be introduced at this stage but not at the expense of the "broadness" of the overall subject curriculum.
In Years 10 and 11 students continue following the National Curriculum Subjects in English; Maths; Science; Physical Education; Religious Education and Personal, Citizenship, Social and Health Education (PCSHE) as well as the two subjects they have chosen. All students will study either History or Geography with the option to study both if desired and the majority of students continue with a Modern Foreign Language enabling them to gain accreditation in all five subject areas within the English Baccalaureate. We believe that this "broad and balanced" curriculum provides our students with the skills and knowledge to live life successfully in Modern Britain. All subjects are accredited at the end of Year 11 following a coherent five-year or two-year programme of study. We pay close attention to the cohort of the school and its high mobility to ensure that all years have the required flexibility to cater for in year admissions, some of whom join very late in their school careers.
At Post 16, we offer as part of the successful Harrow Collegiate, an extensive range of programmes comprising A Levels and Applied, BTEC National Level 3 courses which stretch students and offer opportunities to move onto the next stage of education or employment. The school is developing its T Level offer in line with national changes to Post 16 education. Students have the opportunity to complete programmes of study both at Hatch End High School and at one or more of the other providers within the Collegiate which maximises access and choice (see separate Collegiate and Hatch End High School Key Stage 5 offer and other information on our website). Students can complete individualised packages, which could equate to 3 or 4 A levels/ BTEC qualifications and can also be supplemented with extra courses such as the extended project. In addition to their academic studies, students all benefit from a comprehensive PCSHE programme which include a level 2 Personal Finance programme.
For further information about our Sixth Form, please click here.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)
SMSC is promoted across all aspects of school life. Our full policy on the website sets out our vision and practice in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of right and wrong; an appreciation of the arts in all their forms and practise the skills and attitudes required for them to participate fully in a democratic society.
We consider it critical that equal opportunities and fundamental British Values are promoted and realised at all levels of curriculum provision and that this is integral to outstanding practice. Whilst we provide extensive individual and small group withdrawal support where necessary (see below), our curriculum is one which celebrates inclusion at all times and we firmly believe that our diversity as a school ultimately enriches and enhances our curriculum for the benefit of all.
Beyond the formal curriculum
The school curriculum is not narrowly constrained within formal lessons but extends to a vast array of "scholarship" and "extra-curricular" opportunities.
The school aims to promote scholarly enquiry in all its subjects, whereby students are encouraged to look beyond the National Curriculum and/or exam specifications and delve "deeper" into their subject beyond what is taught in the classroom. This is termed our "Scholarship Offer" and covers a wide range of activities, which may include "reading" around a topic; "watching" a media clip; "listening" to a blog or talk, or even "visiting" one of the many exhibitions/museums we have on offer in London. We seek to use active partnerships to support learning wherever possible and encourage students to interact with speakers and visiting groups/industries/organisations to enhance their communication skills and learning capacity. Please click here to view our Scholarship Booklet, which outlines an extensive list of watching and listening opportunities, alongside examples of places to visit. This information, as well as reading lists for individual subjects can also be found on our school website, within each department’s curriculum area.
All students also have access to and are actively encouraged to take part in our extensive extra-curricular programme during breaks, after school or at weekends, for example Sports and Music clubs. In addition, in Year 7 and 8, all students have a one-hour timetabled session a fortnight which offers a range of options for following a different "extra" course or developing a new skill which will broaden their horizons. The school uses its Pupil Premium and other avenues of funding to ensure that all groups within the school are able to access these activities.
Work Related learning is any planned activity that uses the context of work to develop knowledge, skills and understanding useful in work. Through work related learning activities, the school seeks to develop the employability skills of young people, provide them with the opportunity to ‘learn by doing’, raise standards of achievement and encourage positive attitudes to lifelong learning. Opportunities will be provided both within our various curriculum areas and as planned activities within our enrichment programme. All students have the opportunity to take part in a formal work experience at the end of Year 10 despite not being statutory as we believe it remains a vital and enriching experience. They also have an opportunity to gain formal interview skills as part of the Steps to Success Day. Our Careers Policy sets out in detail how we adhere to the national Gatsby benchmarks and provide access entitlement.